Islamabad: Advocate Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have challenged the sentences awarded to them by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the barriers removal case before the Islamabad High Court.

Both have filed appeals against their convictions, along with separate applications seeking suspension of their sentences and release on bail. The appeals were filed through lawyers Faisal Siddiqui, Riasat Ali Azad and Zainab Janjua.

In their appeals, the petitioners argued that the trial court failed to fulfil the requirements of a fair trial. They also referred to various judicial precedents concerning the principles of transparent and fair trials.

The appeals further maintain that the jail trial was conducted in a manner resembling a secret trial, in violation of Article 10 of the Constitution.

The petitioners have requested the Islamabad High Court to set aside the sentences awarded by the trial court.

They have also urged the court to suspend their sentences and grant them bail until a final decision is reached on their appeals.

It may be recalled that the Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison each, along with fines, in the barriers removal case.